The Otford charity behind hospice care in Romania and five other countries turns 35. Carnival on 10 October, board games at its bistro, then a wreath workshop.
Hospices of Hope, the charity run from Otford High Street, is marking 35 years of work with a carnival night on Saturday 10 October. Two more fundraisers follow in the district this autumn.
The charity supports free hospice care in South and East Europe. It says more than 100,000 patients and their families have been helped through its partners since 1991. (Hospices of Hope, About us)
From a Kent appeal to six countries
The work began in Kent. In 1991 trustees of the Ellenor Foundation agreed to launch a Romania Appeal to pay for hospice care there. At the time, the charity says, Romania had no hospice care at all. (Hospices of Hope, Our History)
Graham Perolls, who founded the Ellenor Hospice in 1985, set up an Anglo-Romanian partnership called Hospice Casa Sperantei, “Home of Hope” in Romanian. Hospices of Hope became a separate charity in 2000. Perolls was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George in 2014 for the work.
The charity later extended its work to:
- Serbia, in 2006
- Moldova, in 2008
- Albania, in 2019
- Greece, in 2021
- Ukraine, in 2022
All care provided by its partners is free to patients. The charity’s registered office is at 11 High Street, Otford. It also runs a charity shop in Westerham’s Market Square and the Olive Tree bistro and tearoom next to its Otford office. (Hospices of Hope, Charity Shops and Bistro)
The events
| Date | Event | Where | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 10 Oct, 7pm to midnight | 35th anniversary carnival | High Rocks, High Rocks Lane, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 9JJ | £55 |
| Wed 21 Oct, 6.30pm to 9pm | Burgers and board games | The Olive Tree, 11A High Street, Otford, TN14 5PG | £15 |
| Mon 30 Nov, 10.30am to 2.30pm | Christmas wreath workshop | Bessels Green Baptist Church, Bessels Green Road, Sevenoaks, TN13 2PS | £50 |
The carnival is the anniversary night itself. The ticket includes a glass of prosecco, a three-course dinner with coffee, live performances and carnival games. Guests are asked to dress “with a touch of carnival flair”. All proceeds go to hospice care. (Hospices of Hope, Hospice Carnival)
Burgers and board games is at the charity’s own bistro in Otford. The £15 covers a burger and homemade chips. Soft drinks and cakes are on sale, there are games to borrow, and you can bring your own. Single bookings join shared tables, and all ages are welcome. (Hospices of Hope, Burgers and Board Games at The Olive Tree)
The wreath workshop is led by Emma of Fuller-Wilke Florals. The £50 covers materials, a two-course lunch, a glass of wine and mince pies. Bring your own secateurs and gloves. (Hospices of Hope, Wreath Workshop: Sevenoaks)
How to book
Book all three through the Hospices of Hope events page, or call the charity on 01959 525110. Its Otford office is open to the public from 9am to 4pm on weekdays. Businesses wanting to sponsor the carnival can email office@hospicesofhope.co.uk.
For more going on nearby, see our weekend guide and our Christmas fairs and markets list.
Sources
- Hospices of Hope, About us
- Hospices of Hope, Our History
- Hospices of Hope, Charity Shops and Bistro
- Hospices of Hope, events listing and event pages for the carnival, burgers and board games and the Sevenoaks wreath workshop
- Event posters sent to Sevenoaks Online by Hospices of Hope, September 2026
Image: the Otford shop and bistro, supplied by Hospices of Hope via its website.
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